Denise Kalevik

Denise Nelson Kalevik started playing the "Dog House Bass," with the help of her husband, Greg, one month prior to Churchyard Grass's first Sunday worship service.

Everyone was so nervous! Immanuel Lutheran Church members are such forgiving people, they praised us from the start!

Denise is married to Greg Kalevik and they have four married children, Jeremy & Heather Kalevik, Todd & Nicole Kalevik, Tracy & David Jeremiason, and Benjamin & Nicole Kalevik. They also have 11 beautiful grandchildren, with one more expected in September.

Music has always been a part of Denise's life. She grew up singing around the piano, with her Aunt Marie playing songs such as, "Barney Google," and "Ain't She Sweet?", along with many Swedish folk songs and hymns. She had a few years of piano lessons herself, and sang in the church choir in her youth, even singing an occasional solo. In fifth grade she started playing the flute, which she continued doing through high school. She returned to singing in the church choir as an adult.

With her husband Greg, who had been attending Bluegrass Festivals for many years, Denise started attending and caught "the Bluegrass Bug!" She is now hooked, and looks forward to the festivals every year, enjoying "lots of good music," "good pick'in," and "alot of 'grin'in' goin' on" at the festivals.